Dear friends
I home-schooled my son until he was 8 years old and my daughter until she was 5. My son would look at the children and want to know why he couldn't go school like the other children. When we all look back it was the best decision ever. In Jamaica good schools were not free, the average rate was around JMD25,000.00 per child and that was for 3 years olds too. At the time my husband and I could barely keep our head above water, it was a challenge to find rent and even basic food items. Poverty and debt was our portion in those days.....though we tried hard. One needed many many miracles to survive in an economy where more than 60 percent of the nation fell below the poverty line. So I had a choice:- send my children to the public school where it was 1 teacher to about 50 children or I didn't just know what was the other choice. My son definitely could not belong in that system as he had a photographic memory, was not very sociable and a very high IQ. He would certainly be labelled as "abnormal" by teachers who would not understand. He would learn as I challenged him way beyond his years and peers. My daughter on the other hand was so sweet, sociable and trusting. Everybody loved her and she wanted to hug and kiss everybody. I,was sexually molested at the age of 5 and feared this happening for my daughter. This is the norm worldwide. When I became a Pastor I had to counsel so many people who had gone through this ordeal of sexual molestation when they were just children. So, we sought the Lord and he gave us the answer - home schooling. So many would say are you mad? Send them to school, but I heard from God and would not be moved from my position. God really did provide all the resources - some would give us books their children had used,eg Reader Rabbit.
If we really ask God how to,and surrender to his will, he will really show us how in all areas of our life.
Up to 5 years old those are called the formative years, so it is a good time to set the tone. Children really do learn well by example. Routine makes them secure and confident.
We used to wake up and pray, then do our chores - children can even put cups on the table or take the clothes out of the washing machine. We would have breakfast together, then start the school work. Learning should be fun for younger children. There are a lot of fun educational programs on television and the internet.
Children learn at different paces so be prepared to challenge one more or repeatedly show another. Encourage,hug and reward them much. Discipline however is a necessary part of growing well balanced children. This teaches children there are consequences for their choices. The disciplining should never be in anger but should be done God's way and explained why - "You did this, this is why it is wrong, this is how you will be punished and this is how you should correct your behavior". Don't be afraid to make parenting mistakes and say sorry, yes say sorry to your children. That's a good example of humility. Let God lead you every step of the way.
I NEVER KNEW IT WOULD GO SO QUICKLY
the years go by so quickly, you will in the next season treasure those memories and have such a feeling of fulfillment when you see them doing well and being independent.
Children live what they learn so, please spend the early years IMPARTING not only knowledge but manners, how to share and care, life skills and especially God's way. This is what God's word says...
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents],
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
I have grown my children the way God said, in the midst of heartbreak, facing death of loved ones, divorce, emotional turmoil, lack and more. Be determined to be the children's stable support and example by God's grace. I made family my priority after serving God and can now say, I see the wonderful fruit of having done this God's way
Perhaps you don't know how, then ask God. He will show you how and ask him to give you the grace, patience(that word..lol) and anointing to do the job of parenting. After all he chose you as that Parent for that Child, so he has already equipped you. You just need to listen to him to get the "unlock codes" of "How to Parent"
I have attached a recent photo of us - the caption of that photo on Facebook was "We don't even realize how much we miss each other until we get together again
Bless you my friends and Walk Good in Christ
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